Monkey Ladder

Can you do better than a chimp at this memory test? Chimps only need a brief glance at a set of numbered boxes before accurately tapping them in order. Humans can do well too, but it will require concentration and a strong memory.

How to play

Numbered boxes will appear in different locations on the screen. You'll have to try to remember which number appears in which box. After a short time, the numbers will disappear. Click the boxes in numerical sequence, beginning with the box where 1 was, then 2, 3, and so on.

What does Monkey Ladder measure?

Reasoning

Verbal

Memory

Monkey Ladder relies most on your short-term memory. Reasoning also plays a bit of a role in performance.

Monkey Ladder in
the real world

Viewing a situation, planning a sequence of moves, then executing them from memory, is essential in many everyday tasks. It would be especially useful when planning a sequence of branches to grab while swinging through trees—maybe that's why apes are so good at it! You can view a video of Ayuma the chimp doing very well at Monkey Ladder here.